City-museum Mtskheta and medieval fortress Ananuri (from Mtskheta)

What to expect

Svetitskhoveli - the epitome of Georgian temple architecture
Mtskheta, as a city-museum, is interesting in itself. But its main attraction is the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built in the 11th century on the site of the first Georgian Christian church from the 4th century. Until the 21st century, Svetitskhoveli was the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church, where the coronation ceremonies of all Georgian kings took place, and to this day this place is a spiritual center of the country. During the tour, you will learn the most interesting facts about this unique creation of medieval architecture that has survived many difficult times and numerous reconstructions.

Jvari - "where the merging waters make noise..."
Not far from Mtskheta is another religious shrine of Georgia: the 6th-century Jvari Monastery, which translates as "cross." The monastery was built on the site of a cross erected in the 4th century by King Mirian, the first Christian king of Georgia. It is this monastery that Lermontov praised in his poem "Mtsyri." I will introduce you to the features of the construction of this building and tell you about the vivid events and legends associated with this monastery.

Ananuri - beauty frozen in stone
The final point of our route will be the medieval fortress Ananuri, the ancient residence of the Aragvi Dukes, located just 30 km from Mtskheta. This castle is better preserved than any other in Georgia. Built on the shore of the Zhinvali Reservoir, right on the famous Military-Georgian Road, it attracts not only with its antiquity and the beauty of medieval architecture but also with its special impressiveness thanks to the picturesque surroundings. Among the temples on its territory, the most remarkable is the Church of the Mother of God - the church with the richest decoration among all the religious buildings preserved in Georgia.